St. Lucia Shocker -Inn owed $300,000 after basketball tour
-GABA secretary fingered
By Clyde Pestano
Stabroek News
November 15, 2003
President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Associat-ion (GABA) Raphael Douglas has confirmed that the Harbour Light Inn in Vide Boutielle, Castries, St. Lucia is indeed owed money after the recent stay of Guyana's under-19 basketballers there.
Douglas was responding to a number of queries by this newspaper about the recent trip by the team to that island supposedly to participate in the secondary schools' annual championships.
He disclosed that the secretary of the GABA Perry Woolford incurred the debt after `going behind his back' and making contact with a business associate of his and inducing him to sign a promissory note to honour the debt. Stabroek Sport had been reliably informed before Douglas' `confirmation' that the debt to the Inn was to the tune of $300,000 or approximately $EC4000.
The GABA president said that his secretary (Woolford) sought out his associate, a St. Lucian, unknown to him and convinced him that he (Douglas) was seeking the funds to cover their stay at the Inn. However, Douglas yesterday vehemently denied that he had ever sanctioned such a request by Woolford. He added that he was terribly embarrassed and at a loss to explain what happened because it came as a shock to him.
Asked whether the team had enough funds to cover their stay in St. Lucia before they left Guyana, the president said he relied on the assurances of the secretary who assured him that everything was OK with their finances for the trip. "I was under the impression that Perry had enough money! He said everything is good, everybody is going." He added, "I did not send Perry to collect any money."
Douglas revealed also that since Woolford has returned from the trip he has not met with him nor has he presented an official report on the trip. The president said that the locals left Guyana as ambassadors and it was a shame what happened adding that he feels betrayed since he has known Woolford for many years.
He said that he is seeking legal advice on what steps to take next as he seeks to sort out the matter. Douglas added that Woolford has insulted the entire media fraternity because in the run-up to the tour he sought the widest press coverage for the trip but upon his return he has not gone after the same attention, probably because of what had transpired.
The president also highlighted that he was surprised to know that Steve Neils Jr. who was not officially named as a player nor an official went on the trip and in fact represented the locals. He added that Brian Carter had been identified as assistant coach and he was not aware that he was replaced until he saw media reports of the games.
Asked about the sacking of Marvin Wray as captain, Douglas could not shed any light since according to him he is still awaiting a report from the secretary.
Douglas was asked what action will be taken against Woolford and he told this newspaper that he has summoned a special general meeting today which has on its agenda the immediate removal of the secretary as a member of GABA. According to the president he will be presenting evidence at the meeting of Woolford's `misdemeanors' including the promissory notes which are being sent from St. Lucia.
Manager of the team, former national basketballer Eon Andrews was also taken to task by Douglas who told Stabroek Sport that he too has not presented any official report. The president disclosed that Andrews told him that he does not have to present any report to him, rather he is only answerable to the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation. Douglas emphasized that Andrews was sent to St. Lucia by the GABA. He added that he is flabbergasted at Andrews' response and said that he is wondering what was the former player's agenda at this juncture.
More than two weeks ago the Under-19 basketball players returned to Guyana. Several of the players who spoke to Stabroek Sport a few days after their return told this newspaper that they were left hungry at certain times and had to fend for themselves during their stay. They are also questioning the purpose of their visit since according to them they were misled as to their purpose there. They claimed that they were told that scouts from the USA would have been at the games to `spot' players who had talent to play at colleges or even the NBA.
However, they said that to their utmost disappointment no scout was at the games nor were they told why they were not present by GABA officials. They added that the trip was just that, a trip and nothing else since they have nothing to show for their efforts other than a stamp in their passports showing that they went to St. Lucia.
They said that they were extremely disappointed at what transpired and would like the GABA to explain to the public and their parents what really happened.
Several calls to the secretary's cell number for a comment proved futile.